Football: France back on track after World Cup heartbreak with Mbappe’s double
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France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their third goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – Three months after a heartbreaking defeat in the World Cup final, there were only “positive vibes” as France oozed class and confidence in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener on Friday with a 4-0 thrashing of the Netherlands.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring at the Stade de France from a Kylian Mbappe assist in just the second minute, before Dayot Upamecano added a second six minutes later.
Mbappe made it 3-0 after being played through by Aurelien Tchouameni in the 21st minute and then wrapped it up with his second two minutes from time.
It was Mbappe’s first game as captain after Hugo Lloris announced his international retirement and the Paris Saint-Germain forward led by example, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved a late penalty from Memphis Depay in a flawless performance.
“There were a lot of positive vibes when they all gathered on Monday and I wanted them to transfer those vibes on to the pitch and that’s what they all did,” coach Didier Deschamps said.
“It was a great night, in a great atmosphere, with a very good start. Leading the Netherlands 3-0 so quickly is not nothing, even though they were missing a lot of players.
“In the second half, we were still threatening even if we were just happy with controlling the game.”
Mbappe was thankful to his teammates for supporting him, but also said that there is still a long way to go in their Group B qualifying campaign.
“I try to do my job, be decisive and bring everyone else with me. It worked well today but this is just the beginning so let’s not get carried away,” said the 24-year-old, who has promised to play a unifying role as captain.
“We didn’t want to disappoint our fans. This was our first game back here after the World Cup and we really wanted to pick up where we left off there (in Qatar), except for the final.”
There were four changes to the French team compared to the World Cup final, with Lloris and centre-back Raphael Varane having retired – they were honoured on the Stade de France pitch before kick-off – while Ousmane Dembele is injured and Olivier Giroud started on the bench.
In came AC Milan’s Maignan in goal and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate in central defence, while there were starts for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani as well.
Kolo Muani was among those who shone, even if the 24-year-old forward did not find the back of the net.
“He’s full of confidence. He moves very well, dribbles very well, and there is a lot of understanding between the offensive players,” added Deschamps.
France lead Group B ahead of Greece, who beat minnows Gibraltar 3-0 away.
Next up for Les Bleus is Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Monday, while the Dutch will host Gibraltar at the Feyenoord Stadium.
France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan pushes the ball away after a penalty kick.
PHOTO: AFP
Deschamps’ counterpart Ronald Koeman, who took over from Louis van Gaal after the World Cup and is back on the Dutch team’s bench after a first stint from 2018 to 2020, endured a day to forget.
“If you make mistakes like that and lose the ball, they are too good for us,” said the 60-year-old, who had to make do without the services of five players who were sidelined with a viral infection.
“In football you can always make mistakes, but if you look at the first goal... the French are waiting for that and then they are so good that they punish it.
“We lose the ball 20 metres from our own goal. Then you are seven minutes in and you are 2-0 behind. Then they wait and they can counter. Making mistakes is allowed, but not there (near our goal). I expected more from everyone.”
REUTERS, AFP
